Helping primary care patients use online tools for weight loss
Official title: A hybrid effectiveness/ implementation trial using online tools to increase weight loss among primary care patients
Funded at University of Florida · NIH-11146449 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project helps primary care patients achieve weight loss by guiding them to use free online tools and communities.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Florida NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Gainesville, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2024 |
| Project end | May 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $647,245 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DK137092-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11146449 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are adults aged 21 and older who are overweight or obese and receive care at participating primary care clinics.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not interested in using online tools or who do not receive care at a participating primary care clinic may not benefit from this specific program.
What this research studies
Many adults struggle with overweight or obesity, which can affect their health and quality of life. This project aims to make it easier for your primary care doctor to connect you with effective weight loss support. We are exploring a program called UTOOLS, which uses online tools like MyFitnessPal and supportive online communities. You would receive short videos and personalized feedback before a doctor's appointment, followed by text messages and emails for a year to help you stay engaged.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could provide an accessible and effective way for more people to manage their weight through their primary care doctor.
How similar studies have gone: This project builds on existing knowledge about effective online weight loss tools and aims to implement them more widely in primary care settings.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Florida
Gainesville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Jake-Schoffman, Danielle Erin — University of Florida
- Study coordinator: Jake-Schoffman, Danielle Erin
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.